Frequently Asked Questions and Fun Facts

When was the first Groundhog’s Day celebrated?The celebration of Groundhog Day began with Pennsylvania's earliest settlers. Punxsutawney held its first Groundhog Day in the 1800s. The first official trek to Gobbler's Knob was made on February 2nd, 1887.

How often is Phil's prediction correct?Always; 100% of the time, of course! Check out past predictions here!

How many "Phils" have there been over the years?There has only been ONE Punxsutawney Phil. He has been making predictions for over 120 years! Punxsutawney Phil gets his longevity from drinking the "elixir of life," a secret recipe. Phil takes one sip every summer at the Groundhog Picnic and it magically gives him seven more years of life.

Where and when does Punxsutawney Phil make his prediction?On February 2nd, Phil comes out of his burrow on Gobbler's Knob - in front of thousands of followers from all over the world - to predict the weather for the rest of winter. According to legend, if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter weather. If he does not see his shadow, there will be an early spring.

Did You Know …

* The average groundhog is 20 inches long and normally weighs from 12 to 15 pounds. Punxsutawney Phil weighs about 20 pounds and is 22 inches long.

* A groundhog's diet consists of lots of greens, fruits, and vegetables and very little water. Most of their liquids come from dewy leaves.

* A groundhog can whistle when it is alarmed. Groundhogs also whistle in the spring when they begin courting.

* Young groundhogs are usually born in mid-April or May. By July they are able to go out on their own. The size of the litter is 4 to 9. A baby groundhog is called a kit or a cub.

Online Public Information File

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